Qigong and the Treatment of Illness:
Recent Case Studies

Robert W McGee

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Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research

April, 2022, Volume 43, 1, pp 34250-34253

Mini Review

Qigong and the Treatment of Illness: Recent Case Studies

Robert W McGee*

Author Affiliations

Fayetteville State University, USA

Received: March 28, 2022 | Published: April 05, 2022

Corresponding author: Robert W McGee, Fayetteville State University, USA

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2022.43.006852

ABSTRACT

Qigong is a tool of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has existed for thousands of years and has been used as a natural treatment or remedy for a wide range of illnesses. The present paper reviews some recent studies that have used qigong to treat several illnesses, including back pain, cancer, cognitive impairment, depression and anxiety, fatigue, muscle strength and posture, and Parkinson’s Disease.

Keywords: Qigong; Traditional Chinese Medicine; TCM

Introduction

Qigong [pronounced chee gong or chee kung], has been a tool in the toolkit of Traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM] for thousands of years. It is a method that uses the healing power of the human body to treat or even cure a wide range of ailments. In the West, it is sometimes used in conjunction with mainstream medicine as a supplementary tool to treat symptoms of various diseases and ailments [1-10]. Numerous studies have found that qigong can aid in the treatment of arthritis [11], back pain [12], cancer [13- 17], cognitive impairment [18,19], Covid-19 [20,21], COPD [22], depression and anxiety [23-26], fatigue [27], hypertension [28,29], muscle strength and posture [30], Parkinson’s disease [31,32], stroke [33], and tertiary-care pain management [34].

Back Pain

Li [12] studied the effects of health qigong on improving cervical and lumbar disc disease and mental health of 108 sedentary young and middle-aged faculty members from Yantai University in China. The experimental group received health qigong exercises for 12 weeks. The control group received no therapy. The study tested skeletal muscle mass, range of neck joint motion, range of weight joint motion and mental health of both groups, both before and after the intervention. The body fat rate for the experimental group declined significantly during the period of the study (p < 0.05). Their Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM) was significantly higher by the end of the study. The cervical vertebrae range of motion for the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Other things that improved significantly in the experimental group included obsessive/compulsive disorder, somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, depression and anxiety, paranoia and SCL-90 score. The study concluded that health qigong improved range of motion of both cervical and lumbar vertebrae as well as mental health for sedentary young and middle-aged individuals.

Cancer

A review of ten studies of the clinical effects of Baduanjin (a set of qigong exercises) on cancer patients by Kuo, et al. [15] found that patients in the qigong group suffered significantly less fatigue than did those in the control groups. Their sleep quality and quality of life scores were also significantly better than those in the control group. Molassiotis, et al. [16] conducted a randomized controlled trial of 156 lung cancer patients to examine measures of cough and quality of life. The intervention lasted for six weeks. Tests were conducted at the start of the study, at the end of the study, and six weeks after the end of the study. At the end of the six-week intervention, the qigong group experienced significant improvement in fatigue (p = 0.004), dyspnea (p = 0.002) and anxiety (p =0.049). The experimental group had significant improvement over the control group in the areas of dyspnea, the secondary outcomes of cough, global health status, functional well-being and quality of life. Although qigong did not alleviate the symptom cluster experience, it was effective in improving the quality of life, cough and dyspnea. The study concluded that it may not be beneficial to use qigong exercises to manage fatigue, dyspnea or anxiety, it may be beneficial in managing respiratory symptoms. Lastly, men benefited more from the qigong exercises than did the women. Quixadá, et al. [17] conducted a study to determine the effect of qigong exercises on the posture and mood of 21 breast cancer survivors who had persistent post-surgical pain. The study used therapeutic qigong mind-body training and lasted 12 weeks. They found that pain severity decreased while vertical spine angle improved. The study concluded that qigong may be a promising intervention for addressing bio psychosocially complex interventions such as persistent postsurgical pain in breast cancer survivors.

Cognitive Impairment

Breast cancer survivors often suffer from cognitive deficits caused at least partially by their cancer. The result is a reduced quality of life. James, et al. [19] conducted a study of cognitive impairment among 32 breast cancer survivors aged 65-75 who participated in 8 weeks of qigong and Tai Chi Easy (a special program of tai chi designed for individuals with health problems) training. They concluded that participation in qigong exercises and Tai Chi Easy may improve cognitive function and quality of life.

Depression and Anxiety

Liu, et al. [25] examined the results of four random controlled trials and six non-randomized comparison studies involving a total of 1,244 adolescents to determine the effect of tai chi and qigong exercises on the psychological status of adolescents. They found that tai chi and qigong exercises can reduce anxiety and depression as well as cortisol level. The effects on stress, mood and self-esteem were not significant.

Fatigue

Wang, et al. [27] examined the results of 16 randomized control trials involving patients with cancer chronic fatigue syndrome and other diseases to determine whether qigong exercises had any effect on total fatigue intensity. They found that the qigong exercise group had significant improvement (p < 0.00001).

Muscle Strength and Posture

Carcelén-Fraile, et al. [30] conducted a randomized clinical trial on 125 Spanish middle-aged and postmenopausal women to determine whether a qigong exercise program would have a beneficial effect on muscle strength and postural control. The program lasted for 12 weeks. They found that the experimental group had improved muscle strength, mean velocity of the displacement of the center of pressure, and surface sway area and postural control.

Parkinson’s Disease

Li, et al. [31] conducted a study of 40 patients with Parkinson’s Disease to determine what effect qigong exercises had on lower limb motor function. The experimental ground did qigong exercises for 12 weeks while the control group did not perform any physical activity. At the end of the study, the experimental group improved the constant- and high-speed stride length and gait velocity, compared to the control group, but not the constant-and high-speed stride frequency. Their left and right hip flexion and extension range improved, as did their left and right knee flexion range. Their Timed Up and Go time became significantly slower. Wan, et al. [32] measured motor function improvements with patients who had Parkinson’s Disease. Forty patients completed the study. The experimental group performed qigong exercises 4 times per week, for 60 minutes each session, for twelve weeks. The control group were treated with medication but did not perform the qigong exercises. At the end of the study, the control group did not experience any differences in the variables tested, except for the joint range of motion, which had decreased. The experimental group had increased significantly the length of time for the one-leg balance test (p < 0.01). The TUG test time was reduced significantly (p < 0.01). Their joint range of motion and gait improved significantly.

References